Eastern Regional Station
National Dairy Research Institute
Kalyani,West Bengal

Executive Summary (highlighting important achievements)

Infrastructure
This research station has good infrastructure facilities in terms of Laboratory, Cattle Herd,  Fodder Production Farm, Library, Farmers' Hostel and a Guest House. There are six sections, which are engaged in research work on various aspects of Dairy Cattle Production viz.   Nutrition, Breeding, Management, Economics & Statistics, Extension and Forage Production. The Cattle Yard maintains  nearly 133 cattle belonging to pure bred Tharparkar and the crossbreds of Jersey and Holstein with the indigenous dam breeds e.g. Red Sindhi and Tharparkar. The Library, though small, contains 1403 books, 3225 volumes of bound journals and other periodicals in the field of Dairying. Besides, Annual reports of different Institutes, proceedings of various workshops and seminars are also available for reference. The computer centre has nine computers which facilitate the maintenance of huge data-base and statistical analysis of experimental data of various research projects. This station provides good laboratory facilities for the research work of M.Sc. and Ph. D. Scholars. Training programmes on "Scientific Dairy Farming" and "Animal Nutrition & Fodder Production" for educated unemployed rural youth are being organised every quarter for educating the rural mass on dairying. Field visits and orientation programmes are also organised for the farmers of Dairy Cooperative Societies and NGOs on request. This Institute has taken up a village Murragachha about 7km away from the Institute where all efforts are being made by the Institute to incorporate latest and suitable technologies in order to develop ‘dairying’ in the village.

Research

To encounter both protein and energy deficiencies, the farmers have to feed  required quantity of balanced concentrate mixture. A balanced concentrate mixture can be easily made by the farmers using the local feed ingredients such as mustard/linseed cake, rice bran, rice grit, lime and salt in the ratio 38:30:30:1:1 and feed to their cattle in required quantities to satisfy both protein and energy hunger of the cows.

Feeding practices followed by most farmers in mid to high altitude of Arunachal Pradesh are traditional in nature. Cows are let loose for grazing in roadsides and fields, where the animals graze local grasses and tree leaves which are naturally available in good quantities all throughout the year except the acute winter months. Only a very few farmers supplement local feeds viz. rice grit, maize, millet grains etc. to the lactating cows, mainly.Milk production of cows was observed to vary to a great extent from cow to cow both in local non-descript as well as in crossbred cows. In local non-descript cow milk production was found to vary from 0.5 kg to 3.5kg and in crossbred cows from 1.5 to 5 kg per cow per day.

Extension
Extension of  the following technologies to the cow keepers for sustainable & profitable Dairy Farming through training programmes, field demonstration, leaflets & video shows.

Urea treatment of paddy straw
Preparation of balanced concentrate mixture with local feed ingredients.
3.  Cultivation of low input fodder crops viz. Hybrid napier, para, guniea grass and subabul fodder trees.

Research:

Economics of Chhana production in rural areas of West Bengal.
Livestock census of 10 Grampanchayat(GP) of Haringhata Block has been collected. Jersey  and Holstein crosses were available in the GPs. Fatehpur GP has first place in Jersey crosses (3415) followed by Malabalia GP (2687). However, Holstein crosses was available in Nagarukhra GP1(647) followed Birohi2(492). Buffalo population was negligible in the blocks. Among all GPs Fatehpur GP and  Nagarukhra-1 have good number of chhana producers in the Block. Among Fatehpur GP, the villages Barasat(4) South Dattapara(7), Haripukhuria(6), Baliadanga(4) Barasatpara(3) Bamanpara(5) have chana producers.Among chhana producers, most of the channa producers belong to Ghosh Community alongwith agriculture and labour as a source of income. 40% chhana producers having parental business of channa production. All follow traditional method of chhana production. 1kg channa is produced from 5kg-5.5kg milk. Milk price ranges from 9-10 rupees. Sale price of chhana varies from 50-60 rupees. Buffalo milk is not used for chhana production.

 

Nutritional status of high altitude dairy animals in Eastern Himalayan Region.
Dairy cattle nutrition survey has been carried out in West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Information of dairy cattle feeding practices, milk production,  health and management practices, milk marketing, constraints etc. has been collected from from 55 farmers (30 from Dirang, West Kameng and 25 from Tawang).
Local nondescript cow is predominant in both the district. Crossbred cows are very few in number. Facility of artificial insemination is very poor but likely to be developed very soon by the Govt. agencies in order to develop good crossbred cows for increased milk production.

Feeding practices followed by the most farmers are traditional in nature. All the cows are let loose for grazing in roads and fields where the animals graze local grasses and tree leaves which are naturally available in good quantities all throughout the year excepting acute winter months. Only a very few farmers supplement local feeds viz. rice grit, maize, millet grains etc. to the lactating cows, mainly. Cultivation of green fodder by the farmers in almost non-existent. However, farmers are gradually becoming aware about the importance of scientific feeding necessary for high milk production.

The forest area is 5.15 million ha constituting 61.50% of the total geographic area of the state. Local grasses as well as fodder trees are available in plenty in the state which constitute the bulk of the dairy cattle ration all throughout the year. Agricultural by products viz. paddy and millet straws, rice bran, rice grit, maize grit and vegetable & fruit wastes are also available for animal feeding but their availability is highly variable in different season and in different location.

Milk production of cows was observed to vary to a great extent from cow to cow both in local non-descript as well as in crossbred cows. In local non-descript cow milk production was found to vary from 0.5 kg to 3.5kg and in crossbred cows from 1.5 to 5kg per cow per day.

Studies on the management practices of rural dairy cattle for clean milk production in eastern India.
The relevant secondary information have been collected from the Milk Union Office, Haringhata Block Head Quarters, BLDO and Gram Panchyat Office for selection of survey villages. Based on the secondary information two villages in two categories of farming (dairy cooperative and general) have been selected for the detailed study.  The selected two villages are Narayanpur, a dairy cooperative village and Ayespur, a general village.
Survey schedule for complete enumeration of villages has been prepared for selection of households and cows. Complete enumeration  has been conducted in the selected two villages. Based on complete enumeration, detailed survey has been conducted in two villages on housing environment, milking management practices, animal health including udder, etc.

Regarding udder health status, it has been observed that 77.5% cows having regular udder shape and 22.5% having pendulous udder. The cows having healthy  udder are 80%. Teat length of cows varies from 3-7cm. A high proportion of cows (82.5%) having teat end  turned upward (normal) followed by flat teat end (10%) & inverted teat end(7.5%). Milk excretion was apparently normal in majority of the cows (87.5%). Sanitary drainage channel are not followed by majority of the farmers (86.5%). 53.8 % sheds are being cleaned regularly. Cattle shed having tile roof and brick floor are in majority.

Feed requirement of dairy cattle in rural households in the lower gangetic plain region in Eastern India.
Dairy cattle nutrition survey has been conducted in Beldanga in Murshidabad district and Mangalkot in Burdwan district under the Old Alluvial Zone. Farmers rear both non-descript desi and crossbred cattle. Around 51 per cent of the total cattle population surveyed in this zone were crossbred.

Few farmers under the three  categories, landless (35 %), marginal (25%) and small (55%) feed branded concentrate mixture  to their cows. Some farmers feed either rice grit or wheat flour to their milch animals. Some small farmers (60 %) feed local rice bran where as, around 30% of landless and 44% of marginal farmers offer local rice bran to their dairy animals in variable  quantities. All farmers use mustard cake to supplement their dairy cows. Some farmers (28 %) farther  supplement Tisi ( Linseed cake ) to their animals. Mineral mixture is fed by very few farmers (16 %). Salt is fed by most of the landless farmers (74%) and a significant portion of marginal (59%) and small(50 %) farmers. Cultivated green fodder is fed by none of the landless, very few (15%) marginal and a significant portion (50%) of small farmers. Cut field grass is fed by 69%,89% and 85% farmers of  landless, marginal and small  category,  respectively.  Few farmers allow their  animals  to graze  or scavenge in  some parts of  the day.   Around 52% of Landless,  52% of marginal and 65% of small farmers allow their cows to graze or scavenge. Feeding of paddy straw is common practice and around 96 % of the total respondents feed paddy straw to their animals.

Average milk production in cows (kg/d) of the landless, marginal and small farmers in this zone was 4.0± 0.45, 4.14±0.25 and 5.1±0.66, respectively. Around 26% cows of the landless farmers and 13% cows of the marginal farmers and 25% of small farmers were found to produce milk  up to 2 kg per day whereas, 48% cows of the landless, 65% cows of the marginal and 35% cows of the small farmers produced milk 2.1 to 5kg per day. Around 26% of the landless,  22 % cows of the marginal and 40% cows of the small farmers produced milk more than 5 kg per day.

Nutrition Profile of the cows :
Dry matter intake of the cows up to 2kg per 100kg body weight was observed in 17% cows under the landless ,11% under  the marginal  farmers and 20% of the small farmers. Around 83% cows of the landless, 89% cows of the marginal and 80% cows of the small farmers consume DM more than 2kg per 100kg body weight.

No protein deficiency was observed in 30%, 36% and 55% cows under the landless, marginal and small farmers, respectively. Marginal deficiency (up to 10%) was observed in 13%,10% and 5% cows under the landless, marginal and small farmer groups, respectively. Around 22%,30% and 30% cows in the landless, marginal and small farmer groups were protein deficient by 11-30% level. Severe protein deficiency(above 30%) was observed in only 17%,16% and 10% cows in the landless, marginal and small farmer groups, respectively. Overall, around 62% cows covered under this survey suffer from protein deficiency.

Around 26%,43% and 40 % cows belonging to the landless, marginal and small farmers, respectively do not suffer from any energy deficiency. Marginal deficiency (up to 10% level) was observed in 26%,10% and 10% cows in the landless, marginal and small farmers groups where as, 31%,31% and 40% cows in the respective groups suffer from medium (11-30%) level of energy deficiency. Around 17 % of the landless farmer groups, 16 % of the marginal farmer groups and 10% of the small farmer groups suffer from high level (above30 %) of energy deficiency. Overall, around 61% cows covered under this survey suffer from energy deficiency.

All categories of farmers in this zone feed green fodder to their cows to the extent possible for them and farther increase of green fodder feeding is not very practical proposition. In order to encounter both protein and energy deficiencies and to increase and sustain milk production , the farmers have to feed  increased quantity of balanced concentrate mixture to satisfy both protein and energy hunger of the cows. A balanced concentrate mixture can be easily made by the farmers using the local feed ingredients such as mustard/linseed cake, rice bran, rice grit, lime and salt in the ratio 38:30:30:1:1 and feed to their cattle.

Impact of social, cultural and anthropological factors on dairy production systems in   the lower   Gangetic plains of West Bengal.

Socio-cultural beliefs and practices associated with  dairy husbandry is still prevalent in rural Bengal. Basically rituals and treatment of cattle disorders by indigenous herbs is practiced. Belief on vaids and ustaads or maulvis in the treatment of common ailments or warding off evil inflicted by individuals on animals is worn off by use of talisman or water blessed by mantras given by traditional healers. The local village moneylender or mahajan is still the common source for seeking credit or loans. Local animal agents and gowalas (ghosh) are the main source for procurement or disposal of animals. They serve as experts in selection of cattle etc. Mass media has  very negligible impact on knowledge about developmental aspects pertaining to dairying. Neighbor and progressive dairy  farmers serve as advisors and guide. Lower socioeconomic strata of the rural populace still rear cattle to meet their daily needs of fuel ,manure and cash by sale of milk . Human consumption is very negligible. More than 80% of milk produced is sold .Extension and education in dairying is not effective nor has an impact on the rural milk producers.Milk production is not remunerative and that is why farmers adhere to traditional practices of cattle rearing. Health service by the Veterinary department is not adequate.

Develop   Information – Education – Communication  Model   to     strengthen  direct interaction between farmer and  experts (scientists)  .This could be    done with the help of  interactive  video /audio technology on a pilot basis. The  landless and  marginal farmers  are the prime work force for dairy development. They must be  organized in  viable groups  along the lines of  ‘ Self  Help Groups,’ and  ‘principles of cooperatives.’Training and  demonstration must be conducted  both at  institutional and village level    to train the farmers in scientific dairy farming . Dairy production management should include quality processing  and marketing  of  milk  products.  Mere optimization of  milk production is presently not   remunerative.

Extension & Education:

Bench Mark Survey on the Socio-economic Status of Farmers:
A benchmark survey was carried out in the village Muragacha, Nadia to evaluate the socioeconomic status of dairy farmers which was adopted by the Institute for integrated rural development with focus on dairying. Parameters like age group, education level, occupation, land holding, cropping pattern, livestock holding, house system, feeding practices, body weight and milk production of cows, annual income of the households, technical knowledge on dairying and management practices were studied.

Health coverage carried out in the model village, Muragacha during 2005:

Genetic Improvement of local Livestock:
141 cows were inseminated with Jersey semen. 39 cows were examined for pregnancy, out of which 26 cows were found pregnant. Two calves were born.

Health Care:
356 animals were treated for different diseases like worm infection, anoestrous, wound, naval cord infection and infectious diseases.

Health Camp:
Health camps were organised for vaccination and deworming of animals, in which 365 animals were vaccinated against FMD, and 235 animals were vaccinated against H.S. 135 animals were given deworming medicine and 18 animals were treated for infertility.

An Workshop on “Technological Interventions for Socio-Economic Enrichment of Rural Dairy Farmers in Eastern and Northeastern India “ was held at this Institute from 25-26th February.

This research station has good infrastructure facilities in terms of Laboratory, Cattle Herd,  Fodder Production Farm, Library, Farmers' Hostel and a Guest House. There are six sections, which are engaged in research work on various aspects of Dairy Cattle Production viz.   Nutrition, Breeding, Management, Economics & Statistics, Extension and Forage Production. The Cattle Yard maintains  nearly 133 cattle belonging to pure bred Tharparkar and the crossbreds of Jersey and Holstein with the indigenous dam breeds e.g. Red Sindhi and Tharparkar. The Library  though small contains 1403 books, 3225 volumes of bound journals and other periodicals in the field of Dairying. Besides, Annual reports of different Institutes and proceedings of various workshops and seminars are also available for reference. The computer centre has nine computers which facilitate the maintenance of huge data-base and statistical analysis of experimental data of various research projects. This station provides good laboratory facilities for the research work of M.Sc. and Ph. D. Scholars. Training programmes on "Scientific Dairy Farming" and "Animal Nutrition & Fodder Production" for educated unemployed rural youth is being organised every quarter for educating the rural mass on dairying. Field visits and orientation programmes are also organised for the farmers of Dairy Cooperative Societies and NGOs on request. This Institute has taken up a village Murragachha about 7km away from the Institute where all efforts are being made by the Institute to incorporate latest suitable technologies in order to develop dairying in the village.

Support Sections

Forage section of ERS of NDRI strives for production of forage crops (green and dry) and its distribution to the farm animals and maintenance of timber wood plantation. It has two other units- mini workshop for minor repairing / maintenance of agricultural machineries and  a meteorological observatory.

The Library  though small contains 1371 books, 3225 volumes of bound journals and other periodicals in the field of Dairying. Besides, Annual reports of different Institutes and proceedings of various workshops and seminars are also available for reference. It has an air-conditioned reading room where the readers can concentrate on studies in a comfortable atmosphere particularly during the sultry summer months.

ERS Foundation Day and Dairy Mela-2005
The function started at 11am on 12th April, 2005. Chief guest of the function, Dr. Rajvir Singh, Director, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. in his inaugural address briefly described the history  and mandate of the Eastern Regional Station to promote dairy development in the Eastern Region of the country. He stressed that improved technologies of dairying need to be percolated to the end users living in the villages of this region.